NYS Governor blames Washington Republicans, they blame Democrats for government shutdown
By Andrew Harris
For those who rely on federal help with food purchases using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, things are changing fast.
Earlier this week we reported on the news that the timeline for requiring those considered “able-bodied” to prove work for the benefits had been accelerated from March 1, 2026 to November 1, 2025. Counties are scrambling to set up a system of notification and certification for those beneficiaries.
Read that previous report: “Able-Bodied” adults must prove 80 hours per month of productivity to receive SNAP benefits next month – THE WELLSVILLE SUN
On Thursday, the news began to filter through state governments after the USDA announced that “if
the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation.”
Essentially unless the government reopens, the SNAP program will run out of funding on November 1. That potential break in funding will impact low income households and the supply chain that provides the food SNAP buys.
Whereas the work requirement demand for SNAP intentionally avoided negative impact to children, the elderly, and the disabled; a full loss of funding would not spare the most vulnerable.
A visit to the USDA website for more information on SNAP included this message at the top of the page:
“Due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.“
NY Governor Kathy Hochul made it clear she wasn’t impressed with the decision by the federal government and considers it “cruel, senseless” politics. The Governor issued this full statement:
“As GOP Shutdown Continues, Trump Administration is Deliberately Withholding Food Assistance From Nearly 3 Million New Yorkers Who Rely on SNAP
Without Swift Federal Action, SNAP Recipients Will Lose Access to Food Assistance Starting November 1
Governor Hochul today slammed Washington Republicans for playing political games with federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of New Yorkers. Due to an intentional decision by the Trump Administration, nearly 3 million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP for food assistance could lose access to their benefits starting November 1. As the GOP’s federal government shutdown continues, the Trump Administration has indicated to New York that it will not allow states to distribute federal funding for SNAP recipients. This is a deliberate and unprecedented decision intended to inflict pain on millions of hardworking American families — the federal government should instead do everything in its power to prioritize our most vulnerable and make funding available for this critical program. Instead, the Trump Administration is directing states to halt the process to issue monthly food benefits. Since SNAP is a federally-funded program that New York cannot backfill using state dollars, Governor Hochul is calling on Washington Republicans to stop withholding this food assistance and prevent families across New York, and America, from going hungry.
“I’m outraged that Washington Republicans are deliberately withholding federal funding from millions of New Yorkers who rely on SNAP to put food on the table,” Governor Hochul said. “This is a cruel, senseless and politically motivated punishment inflicted by the Trump Administration that they have the power to avoid. Lives depend on this, and Washington Republicans need to stop playing games. Release this federal funding right now and let states get this money to families to ensure they don’t go hungry!”
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “SNAP is the largest and most effective hunger prevention program in the country and to permit monthly benefits to halt would be unprecedented and have an immediate and devastating impact on the 40 million Americans and nearly 3 million New Yorkers who depend on the program to put food on their table. SNAP recipients, most of whom are children, older adults or disabled, count on SNAP every month to feed their families. Food assistance is critically needed and is a particular concern given the current high costs of food, rent, and energy. The federal government must act now to provide the necessary funding for SNAP benefits so that the millions of Americans and New Yorkers who depend on it are not allowed to become the casualties of a budget fight.”
Read the recent directive from the USDA to States: SNAP_November_2025_Issuance_File_Guidance.pdf
The loss of SNAP benefits would be felt across NY state:
| Congressional District | # of Individuals Relying on SNAP |
| District 1 | 42,729 |
| District 2 | 83,704 |
| District 3 | 28,015 |
| District 4 | 29,926 |
| District 5 | 133,262 |
| District 6 | 93,886 |
| District 7 | 146,306 |
| District 8 | 201,200 |
| District 9 | 171,678 |
| District 10 | 115,398 |
| District 11 | 121,536 |
| District 12 | 40,337 |
| District 13 | 220,555 |
| District 14 | 159,636 |
| District 15 | 272,857 |
| District 16 | 82,509 |
| District 17 | 66,704 |
| District 18 | 70,742 |
| District 19 | 88,886 |
| District 20 | 78,573 |
| District 21 | 89,317 |
| District 22 | 108,726 |
| District 23 | 90,391 |
| District 24 | 83,923 |
| District 25 | 109,702 |
| District 26 | 139,732 |
| Total: | 2,961,711 |
